Kochi

Tranquil Kochi (colonial name Cohin) has been drawing merchants and explorers to its shores for hundreds of years. The Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have all left their distinctive mark on the history and development of Kochi. Over the years, Kochi has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai). Set between the gentle backwaters and the mighty Arabian Sea, Kochi consists of several islands and headlands, linked by bridges and local ferries. The main hectic, commercial hub of Ernakulam is well juxtaposed to the historic districts of Mattancherry and Fort Kochi.

Nowhere else in India could you find such a captivating mix: the giant fishing nets a legacy from China, a 400-year-old synagogue, Portuguese manor houses, mosques and the crumbling remains of the more recent British Raj. The result is an unlikely fusion of medieval Portugal, Dutch and an English village embedded onto the tropical Malabar Coast. Kochi is also known for its eclectic art forms and is one of the best places to see Kathakali and kalarippayattu.

Often the starting point for any Kerala tour, take time to soak up the exotic mélange that is Kochi, before heading off to the hill stations, spice plantations, backwaters and beaches of this picturesque state.

The historic heart of the city is often considered Fort Kochi, with its fine European mansions and cottages, several of which have been converted into charming heritage hotels. There is the quaint, 300-year-Old Harbour Hotel, along with the contemporary Malabar House and the charming Brenton’s Boatyard built in the colonial style overlooking the harbor. Alongside Fort Kochi, Mattancherry is another characterful neighborhood with its bustling streets and old-fashioned warehouses. The Mattancherry Palace, often referred to as the Dutch Palace was built by the Portuguese as a gift to the king of Cochin, in the 16th Century and is well worth a visit with its captivating murals and remnants from the colonial eras. Not far from Mattancherry Jetty you will find Jew Town, with several historic reminders of the once thriving Jewish community, in particular the Pardesi Synagogue, founded in 1568.

Featured Regions

Itineraries in Kochi

Hotels in Kochi

Kochi is a delightful laidback place to spend some time and enjoy some of India’s finest homestays and heritage accommodation.

Malabar House comprising of two 18th-century colonial-style villas built around a courtyard is an art hotel, home of a carefully curated collection, highlighting Kerala’s intriguing culture as a passage between East and West.
Brunton Boatyard Hotel has an idyllic location on a historic stretch of Kochi's famed harbour, is a tribute to another age. Resurrected from the remains of a Victorian shipbuilding yard, it gives the modern traveller a unique opportunity to feel the past whilst enjoying the stylish surroundings and harbor view.
For someone seeking a stylish art-centric heritage hotel with superb service in the heart of Fort Kochi, the beautiful Old Harbour Hotel is the place to stay. Along with the chic homestay of Eighth Bastian a 19 room right in the heart of Fort Cochin.